If you have been putting off your yearly appointment with your OB doctor, then you should make an appointment as soon as possible. Some individuals will skip appointments out of fear, and the fear of an abnormal Pap smear is one such concern. However, an abnormal Pap smear is not always something to worry about. Keep reading to understand what it means and what you should do next.
What Does An Abnormal Pap Smear Mean?
An abnormal Pap smear simply means that your doctor found abnormal cells along the cervix. An abnormal result sometimes means that the results are inconclusive and that cells are atypical. Other times, the sample was not good enough and the test could not be completed properly.
If abnormal cells are found, then there are a variety of reasons why this can happen, and the testing facility will determine the severity of the abnormality using different grades. Low-grade and high-grade abnormalities are noted. Low-grade ones are often present when an individual has a vaginal infection or a general inflammation issue. Certain STIs, fungal infections, and HPV can cause the abnormalities as well.
If a high-grade abnormality is noted, then this may indicate that the cells along your cervix are precancerous. This does not mean that you have cancer or that you will begin to develop cancer soon. It only means that the cells are more likely than normal ones to become cancerous at some point.
What Happens After The Pap Smear?
So, what happens after your Pap smear is identified as an abnormal one? Well, if an infection or illness is suspected, you may need to go through further testing. This allows your OB-GYN to determine the course of treatment that is necessary. Treatment will follow and will often include an antibiotic or antifungal cream.
If cells are considered a high-grade abnormality, then you may be scheduled for an examination where the cervix is closely inspected. Also, a larger sample may be taken from the area. This can lead to the removal of abnormal clusters of cells, and this is sometimes recommended to reduce your chances of ever developing cancer.
Sometimes a retesting will also be completed, especially if your physician feels as though the results were inaccurate. Also, if your Pap smear is your first abnormal one, then it is likely that you will need to go through another Pap smear within the next few months. If the test is still abnormal, then other tests will be completed.
If you want to know more about Pap smears and why they are completed, speak with your OB-GYN professional.
Is your knee stiff and painful every morning when you get out of bed? Perhaps, you sometimes feel a grinding sensation in your knee. If you can relate to this frustrating situation, you might be suffering from osteoarthritis. Thankfully, several treatments are available for this joint condition. Sometimes, physicians recommend patients battling osteoarthritis of the knee take a prescription painkiller. Doctors also often encourage patients to lose weight and start a low-impact exercise program. Swimming and walking are both great forms of low-impact exercise. On this blog, I hope you will discover how to effectively and quickly relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Enjoy!